Olivia Chen
oliviaychen.bsky.social
Olivia Chen
@oliviaychen.bsky.social
Energy transition strategist/modeller. US & China focus, particularly on electrification & just transitions.
2️⃣Aluminium makes up 5% of China's GHG emissions, with a large share of smelting emissions coming from captive coal plants. As such, the State Planner (NDRC) has established green electricity targets for the aluminium sector by province, which will give a push for deep retrofits & fuel switching.
April 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
1️⃣Currently, ~15% of China's aluminium exports go to the US. Faced with new tariffs, China may shift exports to other economies (Australia, ASEAN, UK) that are considering cross-border mechanisms to incentivise lower-carbon production, which could increase China's momentum for decarbonisation.
April 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
This suggests that #AI is neither so electricity-intensive that it will derail clean energy transitions, nor is it a singular innovation that will solve #ClimateChange. It is a tool that we need to use wisely; proactive policy is needed to harness AI benefits for emissions reductions. 3/3
April 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
If #AI is extensively applied towards optimising #energy production & consumption, by 2035 it could enable ~1.4 Gt CO2 reductions, more than offsetting all data centre emissions. Yet, these applications have yet to materialise + AI-enabled efficiencies could lead to higher energy use (a rebound). 2/
April 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Alan Garber's courageous letter: www.harvard.edu/president/ne...
"We proceed now, as always, with the conviction that the fearless and unfettered pursuit of truth liberates humanity—and with faith in the enduring promise that America’s colleges and universities hold for our country and our world."
The Promise of American Higher Education
No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue
www.harvard.edu
April 15, 2025 at 6:02 PM